Hadith: I did not miss any battle with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) except the battle of Tabūk. In fact, I did not take part in the battle of Badr, but none who failed to take part in it was blamed

عن عبد الله بن كعب بن مالك، وكان قائدَ كعب - رضي الله عنه - من بنيه حين عمي، قال: سمعت كعب بن مالك - رضي الله عنه - يحدث بحديثه حين تَخَلَّفَ عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - في غزوة تبوك. قال كعب: لم أتَخَلَّفْ عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - في غزوةٍ غَزَاهَا قَطُّ إلا في غزوة تبوك، غير أني قد تخلفت في غزوةِ بدرٍ، ولم يُعَاتَبْ أحدًا تخلف عنه؛ إنما خرج رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - والمسلمون يريدون عِيرَ قُرَيْشٍ حتى جمع الله تعالى بينهم وبين عدوهم على غير ميعاد. ولقد شهدت مع رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - ليلة العقبة حين تَوَاثَقْنَا على الإسلام، وما أُحِبُّ أَنَّ لي بها مَشْهَدَ بَدْرٍ، وإن كانت بدرٌ أذكرَ في الناس منها. وكان من خبري حين تخلفت عن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - في غزوة تبوك أني لم أكن قط أَقْوَى ولا أَيْسَرَ مني حين تخلفت عنه في تلك الغزوة، والله ما جمعت قبلها راحلتين قط حتى جمعتهما في تلك الغزوة ولم يكن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يريد غزوة إلا وَرَّى بغيرها حتى كانت تلك الغزوة، فغزاها رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - في حَرٍّ شديد، واستقبل سفرا بعيدا ومَفازا، واستقبل عددا كثيرا، فجَلَّى للمسلمين أمرهم ليتَأهَّبُوا أُهْبَةَ غزوهم فأخبرهم بوجههم الذي يريد، والمسلمون مع رسول الله كثير ولا يجمعهم كتاب حافظ «يريد بذلك الديوان». قال كعب: فقل رجل يريد أن يَتَغَيَّبَ إلا ظَنَّ أن ذلك سيخفى له ما لم ينزل فيه وحي من الله، وغزا رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - تلك الغزوة حين طابت الثمار والظلال، فأنا إليها أَصْعَرُ، فتجهز رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - والمسلمون معه وطَفِقْتُ أغدو لكي أتجهز معه،لم يقدر ذلك لي، فطفقت إذا خرجت في الناس بعد خروج رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يَحْزُنُنِي أني لا أرى لي أُسْوَةً، إلا رجلا مَغْمُوصًا عليه في النفاق، أو رجلا ممن عَذَرَ الله تعالى من الضعفاء، ولم يذكرني رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - حتى بلغ تبوك، فقال وهو جالس في القوم بتبوك: «ما فعل كعب بن مالك؟» فقال رجل من بني سَلِمَةَ: يا رسول الله، حبسه بُرْدَاهُ والنظر في عِطْفَيْهِ. فقال له معاذ بن جبل - رضي الله عنه: بئس ما قلت! والله يا رسول الله ما علمنا عليه إلا خيرا، فسكت رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم. فبينا هو على ذلك رأى رجلا مُبَيِّضًا يزولُ به السَّرَابُ، فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم: «كن أبا خيثمة»، فإذا هو أبو خيثمة الأنصاري وهو الذي تصدق بصاع التمر حين لَمَزَهُ المنافقون. قال كعب: فلما بلغني أن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قد توجه قافلًا من تبوك حضرني بَثِّي، فطَفِقْتُ أتذكرُ الكذبَ وأقول: بم أخرج من سخطه غدا؟ وأستعين على ذلك بكل ذي رأي من أهلي، فلما قيل: إن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قد أظل قادما، زاح عني الباطل حتى عرفت أني لن أنجو منه بشيء أبدا، فأجمعتُ صِدْقَهُ وأصبح رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قادما، وكان إذا قدم من سفر بدأ بالمسجد فركع فيه ركعتين ثم جلس للناس، فلما فعل ذلك جاءه المُخَلَّفُونَ يعتذرون إليه ويحلفون له، وكانوا بضعا وثمانين رجلا، فقبل منهم علانيتهم وبايعهم واستغفر لهم وَوَكَلَ سَرَائِرَهُم إلى الله تعالى، حتى جئت، فلما سلمت تَبَسَّمَ تَبَسُّمَ المغضب. ثم قال: «تعالَ»، فجئت أمشي حتى جلست بين يديه، فقال لي: «ما خلفك؟ ألم تكن قد ابْتَعْتَ ظَهْرَكَ؟» قال: قلت: يا رسول الله، إني والله لو جلستُ عندَ غيرِك من أهل الدنيا لرأيتُ أني سأخرج من سخطه بعذر؛ لقد أُعْطِيتُ جَدَلًا، ولكني واللهِ لقد علمتُ لئن حدثتك اليوم حديث كذب ترضى به عني لَيُوشِكَنَّ اللهُ أن يُسْخِطَكَ عَلَيَّ، وإن حَدَّثْتُكَ حديث صدق تَجِدُ عَلَيَّ فيه إني لأرجو فيه عُقْبَى اللهِ - عز وجل - والله ما كان لي من عُذْرٍ، والله ما كنت قط أقوى ولا أيسر مني حين تخلفت عنك. قال: فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أما هذا فقد صدق، فَقُمْ حتى يقضي الله فيك». وسار رجال من بني سلمة فاتبعوني فقالوا لي: والله ما علمناك أذنبتَ ذنبا قبل هذا لقد عَجَزْتَ في أن لا تكون اعتذرت إلى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - بما اعتذر إليه المخلفون، فقد كان كافيك ذنبك استغفار رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - لك. قال: فوالله ما زالوا يُؤَنِّبُونَنِي حتى أردت أن أرجع إلى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فأُكَذِّبَ نفسي، ثم قلت لهم: هل لقي هذا معي من أحد؟ قالوا: نعم، لقيه معك رجلان قالا مثل ما قلت، وقيل لهما مثل ما قيل لك، قال: قلت: من هما؟ قالوا: مُرَارَةُ بنُ الربيعِ العَمْرِي، وهلال بن أُمية الوَاقِفِي؟ قال: فذكروا لي رجلين صالحين قد شهدا بدرا فيهما أُسْوَةٌ، قال: فمضيت حين ذكروهما لي. ونهى رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - عن كلامنا أيها الثلاثة من بين من تخلف عنه، فاجتنبنا الناس - أو قال: تغيروا لنا - حتى تَنَكَّرَتْ لي في نفسي الأرضُ، فما هي بالأرض التي أعرف، فلبثنا على ذلك خمسين ليلة. فأما صاحباي فاستكانا وقعدا في بيوتهما يبكيان. وأما أنا فكنتُ أَشَبَّ القومِ وأَجْلَدَهُم فكنت أخرج فأشهد الصلاة مع المسلمين، وأطوف في الأسواق ولا يكلمني أحد، وآتي رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فأسلم عليه وهو في مجلسه بعد الصلاة، فأقول في نفسي: هل حرك شفتيه برد السلام أم لا؟ ثم أصلي قريبا منه وأُسَارِقُهُ النظرَ، فإذا أقبلت على صلاتي نظر إلي وإذا التفت نحوه أعرض عني، حتى إذا طال ذلك عَلَيَّ من جفوة المسلمين مشيت حتى تَسَوَّرْتُ جدار حائط أبي قتادة وهو ابن عمي وأحب الناس إلي، فسلمت عليه فوالله ما رد علي السلام، فقلت له: يا أبا قتادة، أَنْشُدُكَ بالله هل تعلمني أحب الله ورسوله - صلى الله عليه وسلم -؟ فسكت، فعدت فناشدته فسكت، فعدت فناشدته، فقال: الله ورسوله أعلم. ففاضت عيناي، وتوليت حتى تَسَوَّرْتُ الجدار، فبينا أنا أمشي في سوق المدينة إذا نَبَطِيٌ مِن نَبَطِ أهل الشام ممن قدم بالطعام يبيعه بالمدينة يقول: من يدل على كعب بن مالك؟ فطفق الناس يشيرون له إلي حتى جاءني فدفع إلي كتابا من ملك غسان، وكنت كاتبا. فقرأته فإذا فيه: أما بعد، فإنه قد بلغنا أن صاحبك قد جفاك ولم يجعلك الله بدار هَوَانٍ ولا مَضيَعَةٍ، فالْحَقْ بنا نُوَاسِكَ، فقلت حين قرأتها: وهذه أيضا من البلاء، فَتَيَمَّمْتُ بها التَّنُّورَ فَسَجَرْتُها، حتى إذا مضت أربعون من الخمسين واسْتَلْبَثَ الوحيُ إذا رسولُ رسولِ اللهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يأتيني، فقال: إن رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يأمرك أن تَعْتَزِلَ امرأتك، فقلت: أُطَلِّقُهَا أم ماذا أفعل؟ فقال: لا، بل اعْتَزِلْهَا فلا تَقْرَبَنَّهَا، وأرسل إلى صاحِبَيَّ بمثل ذلك. فقلت لامرأتي: الحقي بأهلك فكوني عندهم حتى يقضي الله في هذا الأمر. فجاءت امرأة هلال بن أمية رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقالت له: يا رسول الله، إن هلال بن أمية شيخ ضائع ليس له خادم، فهل تكره أن أخدمه؟ قال: «لا، ولكن لا يَقْرَبَنَّكِ» فقالت: إنه والله ما به من حركة إلى شيء، ووالله ما زال يبكي منذ كان من أمره ما كان إلى يومه هذا. فقال لي بعض أهلي: لو استأذنت رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - في امرأتك فقد أذن لامرأة هلال بن أمية أن تخدمه؟ فقلت: لا أستأذن فيها رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - وما يدريني ماذا يقول رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إذا استأذنته، وأنا رجل شاب! فلبثت بذلك عشر ليال فكمل لنا خمسون ليلة من حين نُهِيَ عن كلامنا، ثم صليت صلاة الفجر صباح خمسين ليلة على ظهر بيت من بيوتنا، فبينا أنا جالس على الحال التي ذكر الله تعالى منا، قد ضاقت علي نفسي وضاقت علي الأرض بما رحبت، سمعت صوت صارخ أوفى على سَلْعٍ يقول بأعلى صوته: يا كعب بن مالك أبْشِرْ، فخررت ساجدا، وعرفت أنه قد جاء فرج. فآذَنَ رسولُ الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - الناسَ بتوبة الله - عز وجل - علينا حين صلى صلاة الفجر فذهب الناس يبشروننا، فذهبَ قِبَلَ صَاحِبَيَّ مبشرون ورَكَضَ رجلٌ إليَّ فرسًا وسعى ساعٍ مِن أَسْلَمَ قِبَلِي، وأوفى على الجبل، فكان الصوتُ أسرعَ من الفرس، فلما جاءني الذي سمعت صوته يبشرني نزعت له ثَوْبَيَّ فكسوتهما إياه بِبِشَارَتِهِ، والله ما أملك غيرهما يومئذ، واستعرت ثوبين فلبستهما، وانطلقت أَتَأَمَّمُ رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - يَتَلَقَّاني الناس فوجا فوجا يُهنِّئونَني بالتوبة ويقولون لي: لِتَهْنِكَ توبة الله عليك. حتى دخلت المسجد فإذا رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - جالس حوله الناس، فقام طلحة بن عبيد الله - رضي الله عنه - يُهَرْوِلُ حتى صافحني وهَنَّأَنِي، والله ما قام رجل من المهاجرين غيره - فكان كعب لا ينساها لطلحة. قال كعب: فلما سلمت على رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال وهو يَبْرُقُ وَجْهُهُ من السرور: «أبشر بخير يوم مر عليك مذ ولدتك أمك» فقلت: أمن عندك يا رسول الله أم من عند الله؟ قال: «لا، بل من عند الله - عز وجل -»، وكان رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إذا سُرَّ استنار وَجْهُهُ حتى كأن وَجْهَهَ قطعةُ قمر وكنا نعرف ذلك منه، فلما جلست بين يديه قلت: يا رسول الله، إن من توبتي أن أنْخَلِعَ من مالي صدقة إلى الله وإلى رسوله. فقال رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم: «أمسك عليك بعض مالك فهو خير لك». فقلت: إني أمسك سهمي الذي بخيبر. وقلت: يا رسول الله، إن الله تعالى إنما أنجاني بالصدق، وإن من توبتي أن لا أحدث إلا صدقا ما بقيت، فوالله ما علمت أحدا من المسلمين أبلاه الله تعالى في صدق الحديث منذ ذكرت ذلك لرسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أحسن مما أبلاني الله تعالى، والله ما تعمدت كِذْبَةً منذ قلت ذلك لرسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - إلى يومي هذا، وإني لأرجو أن يحفظني الله تعالى فيما بقي، قال: فأنزل الله تعالى: {لقد تاب الله على النبي والمهاجرين والأنصار الذين اتبعوه في ساعة العسرة} حتى بلغ: {إنه بهم رؤوف رحيم وعلى الثلاثة الذين خلفوا حتى إذا ضاقت عليهم الأرض بما رحبت} حتى بلغ: {اتقوا الله وكونوا مع الصادقين} [التوبة: 117 - 119] قال كعب: والله ما أنعم الله علي من نعمة قط بعد إذ هداني الله للإسلام أعظم في نفسي من صِدْقِي رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أن لا أكون كَذَبْتُهُ، فأَهْلِكَ كما هَلَكَ الذين كذبوا؛ إن الله تعالى قال للذين كذبوا حين أنزل الوحي شر ما قال لأحد، فقال الله تعالى: {سيحلفون بالله لكم إذا انقلبتم إليهم لتعرضوا عنهم فأعرضوا عنهم إنهم رجس ومأواهم جهنم جزاء بما كانوا يكسبون يحلفون لكم لترضوا عنهم فإن ترضوا عنهم فإن الله لا يرضى عن القوم الفاسقين} [التوبة: 95 - 96] قال كعب: كنا خُلِّفْنَا أيها الثلاثةُ عن أمر أولئك الذين قبل منهم رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - حين حَلَفُوا له فبايعهم واستغفر لهم وأرجَأَ رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أَمْرَنَا حتى قضى الله تعالى فيه بذلك. قال الله تعالى: {وعلى الثلاثة الذين خلفوا} وليس الذي ذكر مما خلفنا تخلفنا عن الغزو، وإنما هو تخليفه إيانا وإرجاؤه أمرنا عَمَّنْ حَلَفَ له واعتذر إليه فقبل منه. متفق عليه. وفي رواية: أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - خرج في غزوة تبوك يوم الخميس وكان يحب أن يخرج يوم الخميس. وفي رواية: وكان لا يقدم من سفر إلا نهارا في الضحى، فإذا قدم بدأ بالمسجد فصلى فيه ركعتين ثم جلس فيه.
[صحيح] - [متفق عليه]

‘Abdur-Rahmān ibn ‘Abdullāh ibn Ka‘b ibn Mālik reported that (his father) ‘Abdullāh ibn Ka‘b ibn Mālik, who was Ka‘b's guide from among his sons when Ka‘b turned blind, said: I heard Ka‘b ibn Mālik relating a Hadīth in which he mentioned his story when he remained behind after the departure of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) for the battle of Tabūk. Ka‘b said: "I did not miss any battle with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) except the battle of Tabūk. In fact, I did not take part in the battle of Badr, but none who failed to take part in it was blamed, for Allah's Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had gone out to meet the caravans of the Quraysh. But Allah caused them (the Muslims) to meet their enemy unexpectedly (without prior planning). I witnessed the night of the ‘Aqabah pledge of allegiance with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when we jointly agreed to support Islam with all our efforts. It would not please me to have attended the battle of Badr instead of the ‘Aqabah pledge, although Badr is more notable than it among the people. As for my state at the time when I remained behind after the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had departed for the battle of Tabūk, I had never been stronger nor wealthier than I was at the time when I remained behind in that battle. By Allah, I had never been in possession of two she-camels until the time of the battle. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to conceal his intention to embark upon a battle by making reference to other battles, until that battle (Tabūk). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) conducted that battle during a season of extreme heat, undertaking a lengthy journey through desert terrain. In addition, the enemy was great in number. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified the matter to the Muslims, in order that they would prepare themselves properly for the battle, and he informed them of the intended destination. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was accompanied by a considerable number of Muslims, whose names could not be recorded in a register." Ka‘b continued: "Any individual who wished to remain behind would assume that his absence would pass unnoticed, unless it was revealed by Allah by means of divine revelation. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) undertook that battle during a season wherein the fruit had ripened and the shade had become pleasant. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims equipped themselves with the necessary provisions. I too went out in the morning in order to prepare myself; however, I returned without accomplishing anything and said to myself I am capable of it. In this manner, I continued to postpone my preparations until the departure of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims with him while I had not prepared what I needed to join them. I said to myself I would prepare myself a day or two after his departure then catch up with them. Again, I did not accomplish anything until they were far and the battle was over. I intended to depart and catch up with them, and I wish I did, but I was not destined for it. I would go out amongst the people after the departure of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and it would make me sad to see no men around except one who was suspected of being a hypocrite, or a weak man whom Allah had excused from participation in battle. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not remember me until he reached Tabūk. He was sitting amongst his people in Tabūk and asked: 'What happened to Ka‘b ibn Mālik?' A man from the tribe of Banu Salimah responded: 'O Messenger of Allah, he was prevented by his preoccupation with his fine clothes and his self-admiration.' Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal said: 'What an evil statement you have made! By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, we do not know about him save what is good.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent.” Ka‘b ibn Mālik continued: “When I learned that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had started his journey back from Tabūk, I was consumed by distress, and thought, therefore, of inventing lies. I asked myself: With what can I avoid his anger tomorrow? I sought assistance from every individual of sound mind and judgment from my family. When it was mentioned that the arrival of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was imminent, the false excuses vanished from my mind. I knew that I could not pass safely from this situation by whatever lie I can come up with. I, therefore, resolved upon speaking the truth. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) arrived the following morning. It was his practice when he returned from a journey that he would proceed towards the mosque and perform a two-Rak‘ah prayer therein and then sit amongst the people. After those matters had taken place, those who lagged behind approached him. They started to present their excuses and take oaths to that effect. There were some and eighty men in number. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their apparent attitude and their pledge of allegiance, sought forgiveness for them, and he entrusted to Allah their secret affairs. Thereafter, I approached him, and when I greeted him, he smiled like one who is angry. Then he said: 'Come forward.' I approached him walking until I was sitting before him. Then he said: 'What prevented you from accompanying us? Had you not purchased a riding animal?' I responded: 'Yes, I did. By Allah, if I was in the presence of any other man from amongst the inhabitants of this world, I am sure that I would avoid His wrath by presenting an excuse, for I have been granted the ability to speak in an eloquently persuasive manner. However, I am aware that if I utter a lie today in order to seek your pleasure, certainly Allah will cause you to become angry with me in the future. Alternatively, if I tell you the truth, thereby causing you to become angry, I may hope for a good consequence from Allah, Exalted and Glorified. No, By Allah, I have no excuse to present. By Allah, I had never before been stronger nor wealthier than the time I failed to accompany you.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'As for this man, he has spoken the truth. So, stand up (and leave) until Allah gives a judgment concerning you.' I stood up, and a group of men from the tribe of Banu Salimah came along and followed me. They addressed me: 'By Allah! We have not known you to commit a misdeed before that. Verily you did wrong when you failed to find an excuse for yourself before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) like the other absentees who excused themselves. It would have sufficed you against your sin that the Messenger of Allah would seek forgiveness for you.' They continued to reprimand me until I desired to return to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and speak contrary to what I had said to him before. Then I asked them: 'Is there any other individual in a similar position?' They responded: 'Yes, there are two men who uttered the same statement as you, and both received the same directive as you did. 'I asked: 'Who are these two men?' They answered: 'Murārah ibn Ar-Rabī‘ and Hilāl ibn Umayyah al-Wāqifi.' They mentioned two virtuous men who had participated in the battle of Badr and were good examples to be followed. After they had mentioned these two men, I remained steadfast upon my original statement. Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited the Muslims from speaking to us - namely the three individuals from amongst the Muslims who failed to join him for the battle. As a consequence, the people avoided us and changed the way they treated us, until the land wherein I lived seemed strange; not one which I was familiar with. We remained in that state for the length of fifty nights. As for my two companions, they committed themselves to their houses and stayed therein, weeping. However, I was the youngest and most enduring of the three, I would therefore leave my house to perform prayer with the Muslims. I would wander around the markets, yet no one would speak to me. I would approach the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and offer the greeting of peace to him whilst he was sitting amidst his gathering after having performed the prayer. I would ask myself: Did his lips move with returning the greeting or not? Thereafter, I would perform the prayer close by him and look at him stealthily. When I was engaged with the prayer, he would turn towards me. However, when I looked in his direction, he would turn his face away from me. When this period of estrangement became too long, I set out to walk until I climbed over the wall of Abu Qatādah's garden. He was my cousin and the most beloved person to me. I offered the greeting of peace to him, and, by Allah, he did not return the greeting to me. Hence, I said: 'O Abu Qatādah, I adjure you by Allah, do you not know that I love Allah and His Messenger?' He remained silent. I appealed to him by Allah a second time, but he remained silent. Then in the third time he replied: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' Thereupon, tears flowed from my eyes. I turned away and climbed over the wall." He continued: "While I was walking in the market of Madīnah, I saw a Christian farmer from amongst the farmers of Sham (Greater Syria), who had traveled to Madīnah to sell their produce. He said: 'Who shall direct me to Ka‘b ibn Mālik?' The people pointed towards me, so he approached me and handed me a letter from the King of Ghassān. As I was a scribe, I could read the letter in which it was written: 'It has come to our knowledge that your companion has forsaken you. Verily, God has not rendered this world for you as a dwelling of disgrace and degradation, nor one of loss and destitution. So join us and we shall bestow upon you comfort and consolation.' Upon reading the letter I said to myself: This too is a trial. I went toward the oven and burnt it therein. When a period of forty out of fifty nights had passed, the messenger of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) approached me and said: 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commands you to stay away from your wife.' I said: 'Should I divorce her, or what should I do?' He responded: 'No, just stay away from her and do not approach her.' He issued a similar directive concerning my two companions. Hence, I said to my wife: 'Go to your parents and remain with them until Allah passes judgment on this matter.' The wife of Hilāl ibn Umayyah came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, verily Hilāl ibn Umayyah is an old man who is incapable of taking care of himself, and he does not have a servant. Would you object if I serve him?' He replied: 'No, but he must not approach you.' She said: 'By Allah, he has no desire for any matter. By Allah, he has not ceased to weep from the day this matter started until this time now.' Some of my family members asked me: 'Why don’t you seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning your wife, as he has granted permission for the wife of Hilāl ibn Umayyah to serve him?' I said: 'By Allah, I shall not seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning her. I do not know what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would say if I sought his permission in relation to her while I am still a young man.' I remained in that state for an additional ten nights, until fifty nights had passed from the time the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had prohibited the people from speaking to us. On the morning of the fiftieth night, I performed the Fajr prayer on the roof of one of our houses. While I was in the state that Allah described in His Book: feeling that my soul had become contracted, and the earth had contracted for me despite its vastness, all of a sudden, I heard a loud voice coming from the direction of Mount Sal‘. Somebody shouted at the top of his voice: 'O Ka‘b ibn Mālik, Rejoice!' I prostrated myself upon the ground, realizing that relief from this trial had finally arrived. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told the people that Allah accepted our repentance. After the Fajr prayer, the people proceeded forth to congratulate us, and carriers of the good news rushed toward my two companions. A horseman raced towards me in order to congratulate me and a messenger from the tribe of Aslam raced towards the mountain and got over it in order to make the announcement. I heard his voice before that of the horseman. When the man whose voice I had heard approached me to convey the glad tidings, I took off my two garments and clothed him in them. By Allah, on that day I was not in possession of any other garments, so I borrowed two garments and put them on then I headed to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). People started receiving me in groups, congratulating me for the acceptance of my repentance. They said: 'We congratulate you for Allah's acceptance of your repentance.' When I entered the mosque, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting surrounded by people. Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullāh hastened towards me. He shook my hand and congratulated me. By Allah, no one from amongst the Muhājirūn stood in order to greet me save him. I never forgot that gesture from Talhah. When I greeted the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), his face was shining with happiness and he said: 'Rejoice for the best day you have witnessed since your mother gave birth to you.' I asked: 'Is this from you or from Allah?' He said: 'It is from Allah.' Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was delighted, his face became bright as if it was a piece of the moon. We recognized that as characteristic of him. When I sat before him, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, part of my repentance is that I should give up my entire wealth as charity for the sake of Allah and His Messenger.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Keep a portion of your wealth, for it is better for you to do so.' I said: 'I shall keep my share in Khaybar. O Messenger of Allah, verily Allah has delivered me from this trial because I spoke the truth. My repentance therefore dictates that I shall speak only the truth as long as I live.' By Allah, I am not aware of any Muslim whom Allah has blessed for speaking the truth more than myself, from the time I mentioned those words of truth to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). By Allah, I have never intended to utter a word of falsehood from the time when I mentioned those words to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, to the present day. I hope that Allah will protect me from uttering falsehood in the remaining part of my life. Allah revealed the following verse to His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): {Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhājirūn, and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful. And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true} [Sūrat At-Tawbah :117-119]. By Allah, after guiding me to Islam, Allah has not bestowed upon me a favor greater in my sight than my statement of truth to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and my action of not uttering a lie to him, for I would have been ruined, as those who uttered lies were ruined. Allah ascribed to those who had uttered falsehood the most evil description he Had ever ascribed to anyone else when He revealed His statement: {They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone; indeed they are evil; and their refuge is Hell as recompense for what they had been earning. They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them - indeed, Allah is not satisfied with a defiantly disobedient people} [Sūrat At-Tawbah: 95-96]. Ka‘b continued: "We, the three who lagged behind, differed from those whose excuses were accepted by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when they swore to him to that effect. He accepted their pledge of allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and he deferred our case until Allah passed judgment in relation to it. In reference to that, Allah Almighty said: {He also forgave the three who remained behind} [Sūrat At-Tawbah:118]. In this Verse, Allah did not refer to our remaining behind the military expedition. Rather, He refers to the deferment of passing judgment on us, in contrast to those who took an oath before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and excused themselves and he accepted their excuses."
[Authentic hadith] - [Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim]

Explanation

This Hadīth relates the story of Ka‘b ibn Mālik missing the battle of Tabūk, 9 AH. This battle was to take place during hot days when fruits became ripe. As they preferred worldly life over the Hereafter, the hypocrites failed to join this battle and inclined to the life of shade and fruits, being unwilling to take that long journey. Sincere believers, on the other hand, went out with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and their resolve was not weakened by the long distance or the good fruits at home. However, Ka‘b ibn Mālik missed this battle without an excuse, despite being a sincere believer. That is why he said that he never missed any battle with the Prophet, except for the battle of Badr as the Prophet had left Madīnah not intending to go for battle. So, Ka‘b and others did not participate in it. Only three hundred and a few men took part, with the initial intent to seize a trade caravan heading from the Levant to Makkah and passing through Madīnah. Ka‘b said: "I did not miss any battle with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) except the battle of Tabūk. In fact, I did not take part in the battle of Badr, but none who failed to take part in it was blamed, for Allah's Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had gone out to meet the caravans of the Quraysh. But Allah caused them (the Muslims) to meet their enemy unexpectedly (without prior planning). I witnessed the night of the ‘Aqabah pledge of allegiance with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when we jointly agreed to support Islam with all our efforts. It would not please me to have attended the battle of Badr instead of the ‘Aqabah pledge, although Badr is more notable than it among the people. As for my state at the time when I remained behind after the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had departed for the battle of Tabūk, I had never been stronger nor wealthier than I was at the time when I remained behind in that battle. By Allah, I had never been in possession of two she-camels until the time of the battle. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to conceal his intention to embark upon a battle by making reference to other battles, until that battle (Tabūk). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) conducted that battle during a season of extreme heat, undertaking a lengthy journey through desert terrain. In addition, the enemy was great in number. Thus, the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified the matter to the Muslims, in order that they would prepare themselves properly for the battle, and he informed them of the intended destination. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was accompanied by a considerable number of Muslims, whose names could not be recorded in a register." Ka‘b continued: "Any individual who wished to remain behind would assume that his absence would pass unnoticed, unless it was revealed by Allah by means of divine revelation. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) undertook that battle during a season wherein the fruit had ripened and the shade had become pleasant. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims equipped themselves with the necessary provisions. I too went out in the morning in order to prepare myself; however, I returned without accomplishing anything and said to myself I am capable of it. In this manner, I continued to postpone my preparations until the departure of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and the Muslims with him while I had not prepared what I needed to join them. I said to myself I would prepare myself a day or two after his departure then catch up with them. Again, I did not accomplish anything until they were far and the battle was over. I intended to depart and catch up with them, and I wish I did, but I was not destined for it. I would go out amongst the people after the departure of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and it would make me sad to see no men around except one who was suspected of being a hypocrite, or a weak man whom Allah had excused from participation in battle. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) did not remember me until he reached Tabūk. He was sitting amongst his people in Tabūk and asked: 'What happened to Ka‘b ibn Mālik?' A man from the tribe of Banu Salimah responded: 'O Messenger of Allah, he was prevented by his preoccupation with his fine clothes and his self-admiration.' Mu‘ādh ibn Jabal said: 'What an evil statement you have made! By Allah, O Messenger of Allah, we do not know about him save what is good.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) remained silent.” Ka‘b ibn Mālik continued: “When I learned that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had started his journey back from Tabūk, I was consumed by distress, and thought, therefore, of inventing lies. I asked myself: With what can I avoid his anger tomorrow? I sought assistance from every individual of sound mind and judgment from my family. When it was mentioned that the arrival of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was imminent, the false excuses vanished from my mind. I knew that I could not pass safely from this situation by whatever lie I can come up with. I, therefore, resolved upon speaking the truth. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) arrived the following morning. It was his practice when he returned from a journey that he would proceed towards the mosque and perform a two-Rak‘ah prayer therein and then sit amongst the people. After those matters had taken place, those who lagged behind approached him. They started to present their excuses and take oaths to that effect. There were some and eighty men in number. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) accepted their apparent attitude and their pledge of allegiance, sought forgiveness for them, and he entrusted to Allah their secret affairs. Thereafter, I approached him, and when I greeted him, he smiled like one who is angry. Then he said: 'Come forward.' I approached him walking until I was sitting before him. Then he said: 'What prevented you from accompanying us? Had you not purchased a riding animal?' I responded: 'Yes, I did. By Allah, if I was in the presence of any other man from amongst the inhabitants of this world, I am sure that I would avoid His wrath by presenting an excuse, for I have been granted the ability to speak in an eloquently persuasive manner. However, I am aware that if I utter a lie today in order to seek your pleasure, certainly Allah will cause you to become angry with me in the future. Alternatively, if I tell you the truth, thereby causing you to become angry, I may hope for a good consequence from Allah, Exalted and Glorified. No, By Allah, I have no excuse to present. By Allah, I had never before been stronger nor wealthier than the time I failed to accompany you.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'As for this man, he has spoken the truth. So, stand up (and leave) until Allah gives a judgment concerning you.' I stood up, and a group of men from the tribe of Banu Salimah came along and followed me. They addressed me: 'By Allah! We have not known you to commit a misdeed before that. Verily you did wrong when you failed to find an excuse for yourself before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) like the other absentees who excused themselves. It would have sufficed you against your sin that the Messenger of Allah would seek forgiveness for you.' They continued to reprimand me until I desired to return to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and speak contrary to what I had said to him before. Then I asked them: 'Is there any other individual in a similar position?' They responded: 'Yes, there are two men who uttered the same statement as you, and both received the same directive as you did. 'I asked: 'Who are these two men?' They answered: 'Murārah ibn Ar-Rabī‘ and Hilāl ibn Umayyah al-Wāqifi.' They mentioned two virtuous men who had participated in the battle of Badr and were good examples to be followed. After they had mentioned these two men, I remained steadfast upon my original statement. Thereafter, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited the Muslims from speaking to us - namely the three individuals from amongst the Muslims who failed to join him for the battle. As a consequence, the people avoided us and changed the way they treated us, until the land wherein I lived seemed strange; not one which I was familiar with. We remained in that state for the length of fifty nights. As for my two companions, they committed themselves to their houses and stayed therein, weeping. However, I was the youngest and most enduring of the three, I would therefore leave my house to perform prayer with the Muslims. I would wander around the markets, yet no one would speak to me. I would approach the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and offer the greeting of peace to him whilst he was sitting amidst his gathering after having performed the prayer. I would ask myself: Did his lips move with returning the greeting or not? Thereafter, I would perform the prayer close by him and look at him stealthily. When I was engaged with the prayer, he would turn towards me. However, when I looked in his direction, he would turn his face away from me. When this period of estrangement became too long, I set out to walk until I climbed over the wall of Abu Qatādah's garden. He was my cousin and the most beloved person to me. I offered the greeting of peace to him, and, by Allah, he did not return the greeting to me. Hence, I said: 'O Abu Qatādah, I adjure you by Allah, do you not know that I love Allah and His Messenger?' He remained silent. I appealed to him by Allah a second time, but he remained silent. Then in the third time he replied: 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' Thereupon, tears flowed from my eyes. I turned away and climbed over the wall." He continued: "While I was walking in the market of Madīnah, I saw a Christian farmer from amongst the farmers of Sham (Greater Syria), who had traveled to Madīnah to sell their produce. He said: 'Who shall direct me to Ka‘b ibn Mālik?' The people pointed towards me, so he approached me and handed me a letter from the King of Ghassān. As I was a scribe, I could read the letter in which it was written: 'It has come to our knowledge that your companion has forsaken you. Verily, God has not rendered this world for you as a dwelling of disgrace and degradation, nor one of loss and destitution. So join us and we shall bestow upon you comfort and consolation.' Upon reading the letter I said to myself: This too is a trial. I went toward the oven and burnt it therein. When a period of forty out of fifty nights had passed, the messenger of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) approached me and said: 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commands you to stay away from your wife.' I said: 'Should I divorce her, or what should I do?' He responded: 'No, just stay away from her and do not approach her.' He issued a similar directive concerning my two companions. Hence, I said to my wife: 'Go to your parents and remain with them until Allah passes judgment on this matter.' The wife of Hilāl ibn Umayyah came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, verily Hilāl ibn Umayyah is an old man who is incapable of taking care of himself, and he does not have a servant. Would you object if I serve him?' He replied: 'No, but he must not approach you.' She said: 'By Allah, he has no desire for any matter. By Allah, he has not ceased to weep from the day this matter started until this time now.' Some of my family members asked me: 'Why don’t you seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning your wife, as he has granted permission for the wife of Hilāl ibn Umayyah to serve him?' I said: 'By Allah, I shall not seek permission from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) concerning her. I do not know what the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) would say if I sought his permission in relation to her while I am still a young man.' I remained in that state for an additional ten nights, until fifty nights had passed from the time the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) had prohibited the people from speaking to us. On the morning of the fiftieth night, I performed the Fajr prayer on the roof of one of our houses. While I was in the state that Allah described in His Book: feeling that my soul had become contracted, and the earth had contracted for me despite its vastness, all of a sudden, I heard a loud voice coming from the direction of Mount Sal‘. Somebody shouted at the top of his voice: 'O Ka‘b ibn Mālik, Rejoice!' I prostrated myself upon the ground, realizing that relief from this trial had finally arrived. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) told the people that Allah accepted our repentance. After the Fajr prayer, the people proceeded forth to congratulate us, and carriers of the good news rushed toward my two companions. A horseman raced towards me in order to congratulate me and a messenger from the tribe of Aslam raced towards the mountain and got over it in order to make the announcement. I heard his voice before that of the horseman. When the man whose voice I had heard approached me to convey the glad tidings, I took off my two garments and clothed him in them. By Allah, on that day I was not in possession of any other garments, so I borrowed two garments and put them on then I headed to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). People started receiving me in groups, congratulating me for the acceptance of my repentance. They said: 'We congratulate you for Allah's acceptance of your repentance.' When I entered the mosque, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting surrounded by people. Talhah ibn ‘Ubaydullāh hastened towards me. He shook my hand and congratulated me. By Allah, no one from amongst the Muhājirūn stood in order to greet me save him. I never forgot that gesture from Talhah. When I greeted the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), his face was shining with happiness and he said: 'Rejoice for the best day you have witnessed since your mother gave birth to you.' I asked: 'Is this from you or from Allah?' He said: 'It is from Allah.' Whenever the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was delighted, his face became bright as if it was a piece of the moon. We recognized that as characteristic of him. When I sat before him, I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, part of my repentance is that I should give up my entire wealth as charity for the sake of Allah and His Messenger.' The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: 'Keep a portion of your wealth, for it is better for you to do so.' I said: 'I shall keep my share in Khaybar. O Messenger of Allah, verily Allah has delivered me from this trial because I spoke the truth. My repentance therefore dictates that I shall speak only the truth as long as I live.' By Allah, I am not aware of any Muslim whom Allah has blessed for speaking the truth more than myself, from the time I mentioned those words of truth to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). By Allah, I have never intended to utter a word of falsehood from the time when I mentioned those words to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him, to the present day. I hope that Allah will protect me from uttering falsehood in the remaining part of my life. Allah revealed the following verse to His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): {Allah has forgiven the Prophet, the Muhājirūn, and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful. And [He also forgave] the three who were left behind [and regretted their error] to the point that the earth closed in on them in spite of its vastness and their souls confined them and they were certain that there is no refuge from Allah except in Him. Then He turned to them so they could repent. Indeed, Allah is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful. O you who have believed, fear Allah and be with those who are true} [Sūrat At-Tawbah :117-119]. By Allah, after guiding me to Islam, Allah has not bestowed upon me a favor greater in my sight than my statement of truth to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and my action of not uttering a lie to him, for I would have been ruined, as those who uttered lies were ruined. Allah ascribed to those who had uttered falsehood the most evil description he Had ever ascribed to anyone else when He revealed His statement: {They will swear by Allah to you when you return to them that you would leave them alone. So leave them alone; indeed they are evil; and their refuge is Hell as recompense for what they had been earning. They swear to you so that you might be satisfied with them. But if you should be satisfied with them - indeed, Allah is not satisfied with a defiantly disobedient people} [Sūrat At-Tawbah: 95-96]. Ka‘b continued: "We, the three who lagged behind, differed from those whose excuses were accepted by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) when they swore to him to that effect. He accepted their pledge of allegiance and sought forgiveness for them and he deferred our case until Allah passed judgment in relation to it. In reference to that, Allah Almighty said: {He also forgave the three who remained behind} [Sūrat At-Tawbah:118]. In this Verse, Allah did not refer to our remaining behind the military expedition. Rather, He refers to the deferment of passing judgment on us, in contrast to those who took an oath before the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and excused themselves and he accepted their excuses."